Dirty headlights for 3000gt

[seanyb505]

I just got a 95 3000gt. It has the non pop-up head lights. They were clearcoated at one point and time, but now it is cracking off everywhere. Does anyone know how I could fix the problem without just taking them to the dealership or a paint shop? Im thinking wetsanding and reapplying, but dont want to fudge up the plastic.

 

[Darky]

Have you tried one of those "headlight restore" kits? I think it's like an abrasive that you then buff with a buffer or something.

 

[AIbandit]

Alot of 5.0's have this issue If I remember correctly soapy water and a brillo pad fixed them pretty well.

 

[sherman08]

I wet sanded and resprayed clear on my mitsu. headlights. You're probably going to end up sanding the plastic some, but it wont hurt it any. IMO the headlight kits don't work very well at all, especially not if you've got flaking paint. If you buff the clear once your done they will look brand new.

 

[Fred]

I recommend the 3M kit for refinishing clear plastic headlights. Did wonders on my mother's 96 Taurus.

Fred

 

[gradon]

It better be a vr-4

 

[97XJ Jeeper]

I recommend the 3M kit for refinishing clear plastic headlights. Did wonders on my mother's 96 Taurus.

Fred

X2
Did wonders on the womans 98 Contours also. It's a great kit. Comes with 2 stages of sand paper (500 and 800 grit), 3000 grit sanding foam pad, foam buffer, and buffing compound. All the sand paper and pads velcro on a disc that attaches to a drill. Took me an hour to do both headlights. They look brand new!!!

 

[Darky]

It better be a vr-4

Shoot, even the SL will easily outrun our XJs...When I was stock, I was outrunning all kinds of cars that should've been faster than me, but I pulled up next to an SL at a light (he wanted to shoot by me in the lane that ended a couple hundred feet after the intersection, after tailgating me a while) and I tried to at least keep up, wasn't happening.

 

[gradon]

I'd be willing to bet Sean's stroker is faster to 100 than his 3000gt is if its the 222hp/205ft-lb SL(his 4.6 has at least 250/275). Both weigh about the same. On a side note, my modded 94 2dr 2wd ax15 w/ 4.0 would beat my buddy's 1992 non-turbo 300zx w/intake, chip, and cat-back(222hp w/o mods).

 

[Darky]

I wasn't talking about strokers....Put the same money into the 3000GT's engine and see which one's faster. 300ZX's are heavy pigs anyways. The 3000GT I tried to outrun beat me pretty handily, stock 4.0 AW4. I was able to keep up with a friend's stock 95 Mustang GT convertible...

 

[seanyb505]

lol I wish it was the VR4. I havent had the chance to race my Jeep and gt at the same time...for obvious reasons. The Jeep feels peppier, but I think it would lose once the speeds get higher. Ive been known to drop a few thousand into an engine, so well see what happens.

The headlights: I guess Ill try that 3m kit. I dont want sanding marks left in the plastic once Im done is the thing. Did that Taurus and Contours have clearcoast on them? I seem to think the 5.0s did not, just clear plastic that fogged or yellowed.

 

[97XJ Jeeper]

No clearcoat on the headlights that I know of.

 

[kidarkitect]

i've used those kits many times at work with mixed results. I never had any idea that some cars had a clearcoat on the headlights... good luck.:dunno:

 

[Mike Mike]

I use the 3M kit on our fleet of tow trucks. $35 for the kit and it will do lots of lights.

 

[gradon]

I barely beat you on getting the stroker built and you barely beat me on buying a sports car :clap:. I take it your job situation has been good.

 

[ILLXJ]

No clearcoat on the headlights that I know of.

It's not clearcoat, it's hardcoat. Helps keep the plastic from cracking when hit by rocks. It starts to turn yellow & crack if left sitting in the sun for long periods of time. Most after 9-10 yrs., but this also depends on the type of hct. used.

Best solution for the OP, get new headlights & keep the car inside when ever possible. JIM.